Jon Macken scored twice as Preston put struggling Queens Park Rangers to the
sword with a rampant second-half display at Deepdale.
Brian McBride, David Healy and Iain Anderson also found the net as Rangers
sunk further into the relegation mire.
In a scrappy opening, both sides cancelled each other out and neither created
a clear-cut chance in the opening minutes.
Preston boss David Moyes had stuck with a three-pronged attack for the visit
of the Londoners - the first home match at Deepdale for five weeks.
Preston should have taken an eighth-minute lead following Lee Cartwright's
searching cross. Macken tried to get in a header but, from the clearance,
McBride's 10-yard strike rebounded off a post.
Minutes later, the busy Healy cut through the defence but his shot took a
deflection off Jermaine Darlington.
As Preston continued to dominate, Macken's 18-yard drive seven minutes before
the interval somehow squeezed inches wide.
This proved to be the last effort on goal in the first period and the half
ended goalless.
But Macken scored twice in 10 second-half minutes as David Moyes' half-time
chat evidently sunk into his players.
The striker's first on 50 minutes followed a neat link up with another
Manchester United old boy Healy. Macken started the move and flicked to Healy
and from the short cross Macken netted from five yards.
His second on the hour came courtesy of a defensive mix-up involving Matthew
Rose.
Macken pounced on his chance and slipped the ball into the net.
American McBride got in on the scoring act with a half-volley on 67 minutes
before Healy himself grabbed a slice of the action with a terrific goal on 70
minutes.
Preston were buoyant and continued to stream forward against a shell-shocked
QPR defence.
Anderson replaced McBride after 75 minutes and three minutes from time he
completed the scoring with a right-foot shot from 18 yards.
There had been little indication that a game which had ended goalless at
half-time would have finished 5-0 to the home side.
Teams:
Preston: Moilanen, Parkinson, Edwards, Jackson, Murdock,
McKenna (Barry-Murphy 75), Rankine, Cartwright,
Macken (Gunnlaugsson 76), McBride (Anderson 76), Healy.
Subs Not Used: Lucas, Kidd.
Goals: Macken 51, 61, McBride 68, Healy 71, Anderson 87.
QPR: Miklosko, Darlington, Baraclough, Morrow (Ready 74), Rose,
Wardley, Kulcsar, Peacock, Connolly (Scully 74), Ngonge,
Kiwomya.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Heinola, Dowie.
Booked: Kulcsar, Kiwomya.
Att: 14,423
Ref: T Parkes (Birmingham).
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